There were plaques and pom-poms, speeches and hugs, and an original painting. George Washington sent a proclamation. Someone quoted Spiro Agnew. Accolades flowed like wine.
Leslie Bensley, retiring after 24 years as Morris County’s tourism director, was feted Wednesday for putting the place on the map.
Former Freeholder Frank Druetzler, who hired her, called Bensley a force of nature who “probably could solve climate change.”
Video: Saying so long to ‘a force of nature’
The Morris Township resident is the county’s “number one cheerleader,” confirmed state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25th Dist.).
“We are forever indebted,” said Stephen Shaw, director of the county commissioners, recounting how Bensley transformed a part-time gig into a full-blown bureau, helping to generate $2.3 billion in annual tourism revenue before the pandemic.
After the commissioners’ ceremony, the party moved to Morristown’s elegant Grand Café. Well wishers included magnates and maestros, farmers and shopkeepers, pastors and Park Service superintendents.
Bensley was a great boss, testified her staff. She’s a pretty good matchmaker, too, attested Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager of the Mayo Performing Arts Center. He credited Bensley with nudging him towards his future wife at a tourism meeting.
The theater gave Bensley a painting by Morristown artist Dan Fenelon. Tom Ross, head of the Morristown National Historical Park, read ersatz praise from General Washington and led a wave of Huzzahs!
Waving a pom-pom exuberantly, Bensley thanked a long list of sponsors and community partners.
“If there is an audience, Leslie has to be front and center, engaging with others,” said her longtime friend, Alice Cutler.
Over nearly a quarter-century of promoting the county as a Revolutionary War destination and birthplace of the telegraph and home to Thomas Nast and Gustav Stickley, Bensley said, she was guided by one principle:
“Our story is unique to us. So as long as you are true to that, you will find an audience, because it is worthy.”
The Tourism Bureau and Morris Chamber of Commerce are pursuing a merger in 2022.
Looking to the future, former Tourism board president William Leavens put his tongue deeply in cheek to (mis)quote former Vice President Spiro Agnew, after the first moon landing:
“On to Morris!”
Bensley preferred a line from Winnie-the-Pooh author A.A. Milne.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,” she told the room.
